Next steps : action plan

Collaborations and Partnerships A strategy to develop resource rich libraries of the future

INELI ASEAN

Amarjeet K Gill Sep 2016

A Li4le bit about me Amarjeet Gill -­‐ 32 years experience as a professional librarian at the NaBonal Library Board -­‐ Led the Library Development Programme in Transforming public libraries in late 90’s and early 2000.

-­‐ Director, Public Library Services, NaBonal Library Board (2011 -­‐ 2014) -­‐ Director, Library of the Future, NaBonal Library Board (2014 -­‐ 2015) -­‐ Professional Volunteer with SIF (2007 -­‐ ) -­‐ Consultancy Projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (2007 – 2009) -­‐ Trainer & Professional Volunteer (2015 -­‐ )

LIBRARIES ARE FACING CUTS IN BUDGETS AND MANPOWER HOW CAN THEY REMAIN SUSTAINABLE AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PERSONAL AND CUSTOMISABLE SERVICES IN THE FUTURE?

THE FUTURE OF LIBRARIES IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT TECHNOLOGY IT’S ABOUT ENGAGEMENT

Engagement of the user, of communities, stakeholders, partners

“ When you think about engagement and community, collaboration and partnership are really a natural extension of your community action�

Design Services with the Community In order to meet the informaBon and reading needs, each library has to be designed with the community in mind There is no a one size fits all approach

LIBRARY

• Interviews & InteracBons with the community, Stakeholders

• Understand Community thru Research

• Community input for final touches to the library

• Design Engagement/ Focus Group Discussions

• Collaborate, Build Partnerships, Engage Volunteers to provide services and programmes meeBng needs of users

Singapore as a case study

A DAY IN SINGAPORE PUBLIC LIBRARIES

26 Libraries

3 Regional Libraries 10 Standalone Libraries 13 Mall Libraries

79,000 People visit libraries 300 New members join the library

100,000 Loans are made 27,000 People a4end programmes & exhibiBons

8

SERVICE FOCUS 50 and over

Mature Readers AcJve Minds

36 -­‐49 yrs

Discerning Readers Deepening Reading

18 – 35 yrs

Social and Serious Readers Deepening Reading

13 -­‐ 18 yrs

Independent Readers Reading is Cool

7 – 12 yrs

Early Readers Reading is Fun

4 -­‐ 6 yrs

Emergent Readers FoundaJon Reading

0 – 3 yrs

Early Literacy Reading is Important

SINGAPORE PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ CHALLENGES Declining Workforce Declining Budgets Annual cut in manpower numbers over over next few years

Government focus on health, transport and housing

Key strategies to increase resources OpJmizaJon • Job Redesign/ Staff Reskilling & Training • Reengineer Processes • Community Focused Services InnovaJon • Technology Partnerships and Advocacy

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS Redesign Spaces : Partnerships with Developers to support Redesign of library spaces

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS EARLY READ Building a foundation of early reading skills in children (birth – 6 years old) Create awareness of the importance of reading skills Initiatives to introduce & develop early literacy reading skills

READ@SCHOOL PARTNER: Ministry of EducaJon

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Strategies

How we do this

ü Make it fun & interesBng

ü Reading is accompanied by learning acBviBes, e.g. alternaBve story endings, book trailers, quizzes.

ü CulBvate reading habits by creaBng interest

ü Provide a comprehensive menu of reading acBviBes.

ü Promote reading through group acBviBes

ü Reading programmes with a community focus, e.g. Teens do buddy reading with children or teens to read to seniors.

ü Encourage peer-­‐to-­‐peer recommendaBons

ü Introducing teachers to good books so that they will be able to recommend Btles for students with different reading interest levels.

ü Encourage adults to be reading role models

ü Family reading acBviBes to help children appreciate family members’ role in their reading journey, e.g. Reading Fiesta Storytelling workshop

Spaces for Inter-­‐generaBonal acBviBes Teenagers helping senior ciBzens at our Silver Infocomm JuncBon, a place where seniors can take introductory computer classes.

Teenagers conducBng storytelling for children in the library.

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

SENIORS READ

Resources for seniors

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPS

Library Enrichment Workshops

Gaming for Seniors at Jurong Regional Library

Silver Infocomm Junctions at Woodlands Regional Library

Computer courses at the libraries for seniors 50 and above

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPS

Mobile library bus (Molly) travels to orphanages, children’s homes, special educaJon schools to bring books to children

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS / VOLUNTEERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS / VOLUNTEERS

Teens at Pasir Ris Public Library A teens hangout managed by teens for teens. Known as the Inspiring Readers Society, this group organises “hangout” sessions for fellow teens.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERS

Friends of the Library : Volunteers who support operaBons and programmes

Parents’ Volunteer Groups conducBng Storytelling

Stydent Volunteer Groups conducBng Storytelling

TAKING PARTNERSHIPS TO THE NEXT LEVEL The new Tampines Regional Library will be situated in a town hub with other community insBtuBons such as the sports complex and community centre

Integrated spaces – the community centre’s culinary studio will be situated inside the library.

SOME PARTNERS OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN SINGAPORE

Read@School

Arts Programming

KidsREAD Ad Hoc programmes OperaBons Support

OCCL Design

Seniros and Preschool

Programming Early Read

Seniors Read

Library@Chinatown Mobile Libraries and Chinatown Ops

First Green Children’s Lib

Early Read

Seniors Read & IDA Labs

BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION • NEW PRACTICES ARE INTRODUCED • LEARNING FOR BOTH SIDES • RENEWED ENTHUSIASM • INCREASED VISIBILITY FOR LIBRARIES • WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION

END RESULT : BETTER SERVICES FOR LIBRARY USERS

InnovaJve approaches to sourcing of collaboraJons and partners leads to a Resource Rich Library Service

Resource Rich Library Service is able to provide Customer Focused Library Services

A Customer Focused Library Service leads to a much loved Public Library Service

ADVOCACY Advocacy efforts => increase resources

Advocacy involves engaging • Community • Stakeholders • Grassroots (Members of Parliament and Ministers

ADVOCACY

NLB cited in Case Studies

WELL LOVED PLACES “I think that the new library is spacious, clean and filled with current technology such as the e-­‐newspapers. I think that the library is perfect for teenagers as there is a space designated for the teens. I love the library!” – Ho May Fhong

Have you thought about how partners and volunteers can further expand your resources exponentially to help you achieve the vision of your library?

How and where do you start…….

STRONG COLLABORATION NEEDS….

Partners with shared vision Clear Goals and Shared Outcomes for both sides Respect and Trust among partner and collaborators Documented KPIs and tracking mechanisms Regular Assessment of progress and outcomes achieved • Open CommunicaBon • • • • •

If you look at history, innovation doesn’t come just from giving people incentives: it comes from creating environments where their ideas connect Steven Johnson, Author